Judge: NC vote can be held with GOP-backed changes

U.S. District Court Judge Thomas D. Schroeder on Friday denied a motion seeking to hold the November vote under old rules.

RALEIGH, NC (AP) -

A federal judge has ruled North Carolina's election in November can be held under a new voting law approved by Republican lawmakers.

The law is considered one of the toughest in the nation.

U.S. District Court Judge Thomas D. Schroeder on Friday denied a motion seeking to hold the November vote under old rules. A coalition of groups, including the League of Women Voters and the NAACP, filed suit over more than two dozen changes approved by the GOP-controlled state legislature in 2013.

The groups say the changes are designed to suppress turnout at the polls among minorities, the elderly and college students - blocs considered more likely to vote for Democrats.

Schroeder also denied a state motion seeking to have the case dismissed, setting the stage for the trial.

Candidates in most 2018 elections have until Noon on Wednesday to file.

A pair of incumbent District Attorneys and one incumbent Sheriff will be unopposed as they seek new terms in the 2018 elections. The filing deadline passed at Noon on Wednesday, bringing a flurry of new candidates into races for local and state elected offices. Incumbent Sheriff Ed McMahon of New Hanover County. along with District Attorneys Ben David (5th Judicial District) and Jon David (13th Judicial District) did not receive any challengers during the filing period.

A pair of incumbent District Attorneys and one incumbent Sheriff will be unopposed as they seek new terms in the 2018 elections. The filing deadline passed at Noon on Wednesday, bringing a flurry of new candidates into races for local and state elected offices. Incumbent Sheriff Ed McMahon of New Hanover County. along with District Attorneys Ben David (5th Judicial District) and Jon David (13th Judicial District) did not receive any challengers during the filing period.

The filing period is underway for candidates wanting to run in 2018 General Elections across North Carolina. Voters will be electing candidates in several offices, including county commissioners, school board members, district attorneys, sheriffs and members of the state house and senate. All legislative seats are up for election in 2018, along with two congressional seats.

The filing period is underway for candidates wanting to run in 2018 General Elections across North Carolina. Voters will be electing candidates in several offices, including county commissioners, school board members, district attorneys, sheriffs and members of the state house and senate. All legislative seats are up for election in 2018, along with two congressional seats.

Members of Congress send reactions to President Trump's State of the Union Address. (Source: Associated Press)

Lawmakers that represent southeastern North Carolina in Congress released statements following President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union Address on Tuesday night. Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr, along with Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC 7th District), had comments following the president's speech. .

Lawmakers that represent southeastern North Carolina in Congress released statements following President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union Address on Tuesday night. Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr, along with Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC 7th District), had comments following the president's speech. .

Joseph Cina, a former WPD officer and NHC Sheriff's Lieutenant, says he plans to run for Pender County Sheriff in 2018. (Source: Joseph Cina)

Joseph A. Cina, who has law enforcement experience with the Wilmington Police Department and the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, said in a news release that he plans to run for Sheriff in Pender County in 2018, to succeed the retiring Sheriff Carson Smith.

Joseph A. Cina, who has law enforcement experience with the Wilmington Police Department and the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, said in a news release that he plans to run for Sheriff in Pender County in 2018, to succeed the retiring Sheriff Carson Smith.